Luggage of Safaga Port passengers banned

CAIRO: Luggage of passengers coming from Gulf states through Egypt’s Safaga Port has been prohibited because of “smuggling attempts in collusion with some custom brokers,” head of the Red Sea Ports Authority Hesham Abou Senna told Youm7 Tuesday.

“Passengers bring furniture with them, old furniture that has no economic values for the country and 350 trucks are now stacked up because of a strike by custom brokers,” Abou Senna said, adding that he issued the decision after Transport Minister Galal Saeed’s approval.

Trucks stationed at Safaga Port due to custom brokers strike – sent to Youm7 by reader Nour Amer

Every passenger will be allowed one bag, and any extra luggage will be sent back to Saudi Arabia at the passenger’s cost, according to Abou Senna.

A reader sent an email under the name of Nour Amer to Youm7 Tuesday claiming the brokers’ strike has been ongoing for 25 days because of “illegal custom fees.”

Customs officials “exaggerate custom fees” and allegedly do not abide by the fees laid out for every category, according to the email.